The Untouched Heart

Chapter 98 - Dating

That day we were just in the villa. We swam with the kids and they loved teaching the puppy to swim. Hendra laughed at my dislike expression every time Hadi or Dira called out his name. As much as possible I didn't look at her because she was just wearing swimsuits. Patience, Zahara. Six more days.

On returning home, the delicious aroma of cooking greeted us. I took a bath with Dira, while Hadi and Hendra used their respective bathrooms. We gathered in the dining room. We are both starving.

“Just leave the dirty dishes there. You don't have to wash it.” Hendra held Dira who protested to be demoted from his seat. I comply. After washing my hands, I joined them in watching children's movies.

“How old is Ara, Pa?” asked Hadi who sat beside his papa while hugging the puppy in his lap.

“Nine weeks one day,” replied Hendra. Dira looked at the faces of his father and brother every time they spoke. I'd love to kiss that plump cheek.

“When will his body grow big?” ask again.

“If you mean as big as an adult dog, around the sixth month. That means when he was twenty-four weeks.”

“Still long. I can sleep with him, Pa?” pinta Hadi was hopeful.

“No, Son. Ii'm sorry. If he sleeps once with you, then he won't want to sleep in his bed again.”

“It's okay, Pa. Ara is small. Later if he is old, then he sleeps alone again.” Hadi was still trying to persuade his father.

“No. We've brought his bed. He'll be more comfortable sleeping there. Just like you are more comfortable sleeping in your own bed.” Hendra rubbed Hadi's head.

“Alright, Pa.” He put on a sad face. I smiled to see that they could talk a lot without needing my intercession again.

For a moment, the children were already sleeping in Hendra's arms. He gave me a signal to take Dira from his lap. I held our daughter and took her to her room. He was a little rebellious when I helped him brush his teeth and change his clothes. They are now used to their presence. What about when they have to separate again?

I returned to the front room after saying good-bye to Hadi. Hendra was putting pillows and blankets on the sofa, then turned to look at me. He walked into the kitchen. “You want spaghetti?” ask her while checking the contents of the fridge.

“You still hungry?” I just don't believe it. I followed him to the kitchen counter, then sat down on one of the high chairs.

“Air will get colder. Without you knowing, your stomach has asked to be filled again.” He's looking at me. “I just have to heat it for a while.”

“OK. I want.” When else can I feel him pampering me like this?

“With extra sausage?” he asked while lifting the sausage in the packaging so I could see it. “Or do you want meatballs?”

“Are you trying to tell me that you remember all my favorite foods?” I looked at him suspiciously. She laughs.

“Good. I added both.” He divided the spaghetti in the lunchbox into two bowls, then added a sausage cut and some meatballs to one bowl and only the meatballs to the other. Both bowls were put in the microwave, while sausage and meatball packaging was returned to the refrigerator.

“Do you know what we are doing?” ask me while smiling. He looked at me, waiting for my answer. “We're like dating.”

He's laughing a little. “We only eat together while watching movies, Za.” He was stunned for a moment. “Good. You're correct. It feels like dating.” He gave me a glass of water. I received it and our fingers touched sending an electric shock to my body.

“Ng, what about the hotel you bought five years ago? Do you still have it?” I'm trying to distract myself.

“Yes. The hotel is well developed. I feel very grateful now for having bought it.” She smiles. “Hadi and Dira will not need to fight over our family business. One of them can lead the family business, the other one takes care of the hotel.”

“What if none of them want to take care of the company or hotel?” my many. He thought for a moment, then shrugged both of his shoulders.

“I don't know. It's too early to conclude.” Sound from the microwave. He's correct. I'm hungry again. Or is it because of the delicious smell of the spaghetti?

We brought our own bowls and cups to put on the table in front of the television. She invited me to sit closer so I could share a blanket with her. I comply. Just like last night, he chose the channel and I determined what we were going to watch.

“You don't want to choose your favorite movie?” many confused.

“I don't know what a good movie is. I don't have time to have fun. Did you forget?” He shook his head.

“Then you think I know better the choice of good movies because I have plenty of time to have fun?” many offended.

“Can't we just one minute not fight?” her door. “You know that I didn't mean to offend you.”

Having no interest in watching, I pointed to any movie from her chosen channel. We enjoyed the spaghetti in silence. I hate this. He really knows my favorite food and remembers it. I don't know if I should be happy or worried.

“I don't like your third book,” he said breaking the silence. A safe topic.

“Why?” aska I want to know.

“You must learn to write strong female characters. Not that one again, that one again. Try writing a woman who is strong in the face of difficulties, who is not easily fooled by others, especially those who love her. Your previous two books were the same theme. It's always about a girl with that temperament. Why is your third book so?” tanyanya did not understand.

This is what I like about him. He's even better than my editor. “Is the book that bad?”

“I haven't finished reading it. But the first few chapters have made me not want to continue reading.” He shook his head slowly.

“Give me a chance on that character. You will get a surprise towards the end of the story,” I said promise. “And I want to know what you think after finished reading it.”

“If it turns out that surprise does not satisfy me, what will you do to pay for my wasted time reading your ugly work?” his challenge. I pouted hearing it. “Hey, I just said honestly.”

“Good. You can ask for anything. But if I'm right, you should put up a banner in your hotel to promote my novel. Agreed?” I stretched out my hand. He looked at me for a moment, then accepted my hand.

“You will regret this deal.” He let go of my hand. “I have recognized your way of thinking and that is clearly stated in your writing. This book will disappoint me.”

“Read until finished, then we will discuss it again.” I put one last mouthful of spaghetti in my mouth. We went back to watching and I'm sorry to have looked at the screen.

I had never seen that movie before, so I had no idea that the two main cast members would kiss so hot. They didn't do it for just a few seconds, I'm sure a minute has passed and they're still kissing. Oh, my God, what is this temptation?

The sound of laughter next to me distracts me. I looked towards Hendra. “You wrote a romantic story but are not comfortable seeing a kiss scene?” said teasing me.

“If I watch it with my friends or alone, I won't. But you are here and seeing it makes me ..” Ouch. I'm flabbergasted.

“I'm here and see it makes you what?” tanyanya. I close my lips tightly. Her eyes that were staring at my eyes came down to my lips. “Want it too?”

Why can't I keep my mouth? And now the main culprit is silent and cannot answer that question. Think of something to say back to her, Za. Hendra brought his face closer. Okay. Now I can't think at all.

What the hell is he doing? Why did he bring his face closer when his eyes were focusing on looking at my lips. Is this what I think, and want?